Biggest Office Buildings in the World
One cannot undermine the architecture and importance of office buildings which act as crucial hubs for business operations, innovation, and economic activity. While all buildings are tailored to their organisations, only the biggest office buildings in the world scream opulence. Let’s look at some of the largest office buildings globally.
1. Surat Diamond Bourse
Located in Surat, Gujarat, India, the Surat Diamond Bourse is the biggest office building in the world. Built between 2017 and 2023, the total allocated budget was ₹3,400 crores. Designed by Morphogenesis, Surat Diamond Bourse offers a substantial office floor space of 660,451.9 m2 across 9 towers and 15 floors. Surat Diamond Bourse serves as a major diamond trading hub, accommodating thousands of diamond traders and businesses under one roof.
2. The Pentagon
The Pentagon is situated in Arlington, Virginia, USA. This iconic building was constructed between 1941 and 1943 and designed by architects George Bergstrom and David J Witmer. The Pentagon boasts an enormous office floor space of 600,000 m2. It serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, playing a central role in the defence operations and military planning of the United States.
3. Chrysler World Headquarters and Technology Center
Located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA, the Chrysler World Headquarters and Technology Center was built between 1993 and 1996, with architectural design by CRSS Inc. (Technology Center) and SmithGroup (HQ). It covers 500,000 m2 of office space over 15 floors. Chrysler World Headquarters and Technology Center functions as the global headquarters for Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), housing its various divisions and research facilities.
4. SAS i-tower
The SAS i-tower is located in Hyderabad, India. Designed by the Meinhardt Group, this striking building features an office floor space of approximately 480,515.2 m2. The SAS i-tower is a modern office space for various businesses, with a focus on providing a cutting-edge working environment. It also includes fitness zones, yoga spaces, jogging tracks, and 24/7 working restaurants.
5. USAA Corporate Headquarters
Located in San Antonio, Texas, USA, the USAA Corporate Headquarters was completed in 1976. The building offers around 476,000 office space and serves as the main headquarters for the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), providing financial services to military personnel and their families.
6. The Exchange 106
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, The Exchange 106 stands as a towering symbol of modern office space. Completed in 2019, with 106 floors its design is credited to Mulia Group Architects, covering approximately 453,885 m2 of office space. The building functions as a premier business address, accommodating various multinational corporations and offices.
7. Willis Tower
Previously known as the Sears Tower, the Willis Tower is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Completed in 1973, it was designed by Bruce Graham and Fazlur Rahman Khan of Architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The Willis Tower features a staggering office floor space of around 416,000 m2 over 108 floors. It is a major office building housing numerous businesses and offers stunning views of the city from its observation decks.
8. Petronas Twin Towers
Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were built between 1993 and 1999. Designed by César Pelli, these towers provide a combined office floor space of approximately 395,000 m2. The Petronas Twin Towers serve as the headquarters for Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil and gas company, and are also a significant cultural and architectural landmark.
9. CCTV Headquarters
Located in Beijing, China, the CCTV Headquarters was built between 2004 and 2012 and designed by Rem Koolhaas, Ole Scheeren, Fernando Donis, and Cecil Balmond. This innovative building encompasses about 389,079 m2 of office space. CCTV headquarters is the HQ for China Central Television (CCTV), centralizing its broadcast operations and production facilities.
10. Ping An Finance Centre
The Ping An Finance Centre, situated in Shenzhen, China, was completed in 2017. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, this skyscraper features an office floor space of 388,600 m2. Ping An Finance Centre serves as a major financial centre for Ping An Insurance and other corporate entities, providing a state-of-the-art office environment.
11. Shanghai World Financial Center
In Shanghai, China, the Shanghai World Financial Center was completed in 2008 and designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. With around 385,870.336 m2 of office space, the Shanghai World Financial Center functions as a key business centre, housing a variety of financial institutions and corporate offices.
12. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower
The Roppongi Hills Mori Tower is located in Tokyo, Japan. Built between 2000 and 2003, it was designed by Jon Jerde and Kohn Pedersen Fox. The Roppongi Hills Mori Tower offers 379,408 m2 of office space and functions as a major business and cultural complex, housing numerous companies and offering public spaces.
13. Shanghai Tower
The Shanghai Tower, also in Shanghai, China, was completed between 2008 and 2015. Designed by Arthur Gensler, Marshall Strabala, and Jun Xia, it features an office floor space of 375,000 m2 The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and functions as a multi-use skyscraper with office space, retail areas, and observation decks.
14. Merchandise Mart
Located in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the Merchandise Mart was completed between 1928 and 1931, with architectural design by Alfred P. Shaw who was inspired by Art Deco. The building provides around 372,000 m2 of office space. Merchandise Mart is one of the largest commercial buildings in the world, serving as a major wholesale and retail centre.
15. ICICI Regional Hub Building
The ICICI Regional Hub Building in Mumbai, India, was completed in 2014 and designed by architect Hafeez Contractor. This building offers an office floor space of 371,612.16 m2 and serves as the regional headquarters for ICICI Bank, accommodating various banking operations and services.
16. Long’ao Building
Located in Shandong, China, the Long’ao Building was completed in 2005. The building features around 370,000. m2 of office space and functions as a prominent business centre in Shanghai’s bustling financial district.
17. Palace of the Parliament
In Bucharest, Romania, the Palace of the Parliament was built between 1984 to 1997 and designed by Anca Petrescu. Although primarily a government building, it encompasses 365,000 m2 of office space. The Palace of the Parliament serves as the seat of the Romanian Parliament and is one of the largest administrative buildings in the world.
Image Courtesy – OpenArt
